The Ultimate Guide To Rockaway Beach, Queens: Things To Do + More (2024)

Summer in NYC is always a hot one, but thankfully with all the different pools, beaches, and water sprayers throughout the city, it is possible to find ways to cool down. Arguably one of NYC’s best beaches is Rockaway Beach, and there’s tons more to do there besides just digging your toes in the sand–plus, it’s completely free! Here is the ultimate guide to Rockaway Beach.

Getting To Rockaway Beach

Finding a friend with a car in NYC is like finding a needle in a haystack. So unless you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll have to rely on public transportation to get to Rockaway Beach–but trust us, it’s not all bad!

Ferry

Arguably the most popular way to get to Rockaway Beach is by ferry. In fact, NYC ferry and Mayor Eric Adams just announced a ferry express route to the Rockaways is launching this weekend, making it much easier to get to the beach! Learn more about that here.

Subway

Take a Far Rockaway-bound A train which stops at Beach 67th St, Beach 90th St, and so on.

LIRR

Take the Far Rockaway branch from Atlantic Terminal or Jamaica to the Far Rockaway station. It’s a short walk to connect to a bus that will get you closer to the beach.

Bus

Take the Q22 toward Rockaway Beach Blvd, the Q35 or Q53 SBS toward Rockaway Park-Beach 116 St, or the Q52 SBS toward Arverne.

Best Beaches in Rockaway Beach

Rockaway, Queens is home to many lovely beaches, and we’ve picked out a few of our favorites!

Beach 67th

This is the beach to go to if you’re looking to surf. It’s less crowded than many of Rockaway’s other beaches, so you’ll likely have more space around you. There are no concessions here, and due to the waves swimming is often restricted, but if you’re looking to just hang on the sand to watch people surf this is the spot to go.

Beach 90th – 98th

For a livelier, more crowded scene, this is the spot to go…but definitely expect crowds on summer weekends! Here you’ll find the boardwalk and many places to grab a drink or a bite.

Beach 105th – 116th

This stretch of beaches is often quieter and not very crowded, therefore it’s a great spot for families. Plus, if you’re lugging a lot of beach gear for the kids there’s a paid parking lot by 116th Street.

Best Restaurants & Bars in Rockaway Beach, Queens

We know you’re going to get a little hungry after a long day at the beach, and we have just the fix! From beachside bars to luxurious restaurants, check out our favorite places to eat in Rockaway Beach below!

1. Tacoway Beach

Located inside the Rockaway Beach Surf Club, this sit-down taco shack serves the most deliciously crispy beer-battered fish tacos and mushroom “meat” tacos for the vegans. They also offer a selection of fresh juices to help you cool down, including watermelon juice and pineapple mint juice.

Where: 302 Beach 87th St

2. Cuisine By Claudette

This casual health-conscious cafe has been a Rockaway staple since 2012. They serve made-from-scratch baked goods, gourmet coffee, and mouth-watering food. For a lighter meal choose an açai bowl or a juice or smoothie. If you’re feeling a bit on the hungrier side, they have bigger dishes such as sandwiches, wings, pitas. Plus, they have a ton of vegan options!

Where: 143 Beach 116th St

3. Rippers

Rippers is the ultimate beach burger shack. Come here to get a juicy, grass-fed burger on a potato bun, an all-beef frank with sauerkraut, or a cold fruit smoothie. If you want something smaller their cheese fries are a great choice, and they also have a vegan burger option!

Where: 8601 Shore Front Pkwy

4. Whit’s End

Whit’s End is the spot to go to if you’re looking for a tasty wood-fired pizza. Choose from toppings like brussels sprouts and purple garlic, or choose something like a sashimi platter, baked clams, or shrimp scampi.

Where: 97-02 Rockaway Beach Blvd

5. Caraca’s Arepa Bar

Caraca’s is truly the go-to summer spot when at Rockaway Beach, as this location is only open during the summer. Head here for absolutely killer arepas and sides such as sweet plantains, deep fried yucca balls, and white rice and black beans.

Where: 106-01 Shore Front Pkwy

6. Rockaway Beach Surf Club

This surfer beach spot is the perfect hangout spot on a summer day. Enjoy the outdoors at a picnic table and enjoy light bites like fish tacos. There are also tons of drinks to choose from including pints and tasty, fruity co*cktials.

Where: 302 Beach 87th St

7. Bungalow Bar

This bar features an outdoor deck, tiki bar, live music, and weekend DJ sets, making it the perfect summer tiki-esque bar. Their seafood is the star of the show, including dishes like Mussels, Tuna Poke, and Fried Calamari, but they also have burgers, sandwiches, and pasta.

Where: 377 Beach 92nd St

8. Connolly’s Bar

If you’re heading to Connolly’s you better be ordering their signature piña colada. Coconut not really your style? They have other frozen drinks as well, including vodka-spiked frozen pink lemonades, and you can even add a boozy floater for an extra dollar!

Where: 155 Beach 95th St

9. Rockaway Brewing Company

Less than a 10-minute walk from the beach, this brewery offers beachgoers six rotating beers on tap. They have both indoor and outdoor picnic-style seating,

Where: 46-01 5th St

10. Sayra’s Wine Bar

This Black-owned wine bar is perfect for if you’re looking for a bit more of an upscale spot to grab a drink in Rockaway. Enjoy a glass of wine on their outdoor covered patio, and pair it with a tasty light bite such as a jalapeño grilled cheese or charred brussels sprouts.

Where: 91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd

11. The Rockaway Hotel + Spa

This hotel offers a few options for food and drink including Margie’s on the ground floor, as well as The Rooftop on the 6th floor! Starting with Margie’s, they serve simple American classics with reinvented twists on seaside favorites. With deals like $2 oysters on Wednesdays and half price co*cktails on Monday, there’s a deal every day of the week!

As for The Rooftop, not only are you catching unprecedented sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean, but you can also dine on light bites (quesadillas, pizzas, charcuterie) while you sip standout co*cktails like the Shark Bite (ghost pepper tequila, cucumber, watermelon, lime, and tajin) and the Ruby Sky (ALB vodka, lemon, pomegranate, and egg white).

Where: 108 10 Rockaway Beach Dr